“To direct the Federal Communications Commission to promulgate regulations to improve the Lifeline program of the Commission, and for other purposes.”
No CRS summary available for this bill.
This section directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), not later than 120 days after enactment, to promulgate regulations for the Lifeline program (i.e., FCC program providing discounted telephone and broadband services to low-income consumers) to (1) require eligibility determinations using the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier and National Lifeline Accountability Database, without state or other opt-outs; (2) require reexamination within 180 days of all existing participants' eligibility using those tools, with removal if ineligible; (3) limit eligibility to U.S. citizens and qualified aliens (as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1641, i.e., certain lawfully present noncitizens such as lawful permanent residents, asylees, refugees, and specified others); and (4) require applicants to provide a Social Security number or Tribal identifier.